Grandmother says body found near Clare is likely Gomez

Jane Curtis

Editor

jcurtis@messengernews.net

The grandmother of a Fort Dodge woman who had been reported missing last week says the 26-year-old is most likely dead.

Jacqui McCollum, of Fort Dodge, said a body was found Saturday that could be her granddaughter, Jessica L. Gomez.

Webster County Sheriff Jim Stubbs said late Saturday night that he could not confirm that report.

He said the investigation into Gomez’s disappearance was continuing.

But McCollum said Saturday night that she had been told by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation that a body believed to be her granddaughter was found around 4:30 that afternoon.

Mackenzie Knigge

A formal identification is pending.

McCollum also posted on social media late Saturday night that the body had been found.

“We have been informed that a body was found this afternoon near Clare Iowa. They think it is probably her. We won’t know positively until autopsy is completed. Thank uou (sic) for your prayers and support.”

Gomez and her “best friend” MacKenzie Knigge, 26, of Clare, were reported missing last week.

Knigge was found safe in Lafayette, Indiana, on Thursday, the Iowa Department of Public Safety reported.